Mattress support structure



July'25, 1967 J. J. WETZLER :332,090

- MATTRESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 17, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 25, 1967 q. J. WETZLER 3,332,090

MATTRESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE July 25, 1967 J. J. wETzLER 3,332,090

MATTRESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 17, 1965 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Justin. J. wetler H'H'ornegns United States Patent C)l 3,332,090 MATTRESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE Justin J. Wetzler, 703 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Ill. 60436 Filed Dec. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 514,486 7 Claims. (Cl. 5-90) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mattress support structure including mattress segments on a support frame and having a pair of straps associated with the mattress segments and extending along the segments from either end thereof to the mid position and down between the segments, the strap ends at the mid mattress segment position each being Secured to a moveable member to move the strap ends in a direction to pull the mattress segments apart at the mid position.

The present invention relates to an improved mattress support structure and more particularly it relates to a mattress structure which may be opened at the central area to define access to a bed pan positioned below the mattress. The structure of the present invention is adapted for use with any bed structure.

Many people aiiiicted with an illness are either voluntarily or involuntarily restricted to their beds. In many cases the patients are completely restricted in movement. In such cases, of course, the patient may not move and may not move to the toilet for excretion of body waste. Bed pans are provided in the bed for such patients.

At best this is an unsanitary condition and many attempts have been made to accommodate the patient in the bed. The method still most commonly used, however, is the portable bed pan.

Some structures have been provided in an effort to make the bed pan operation less cumbersome and to accommodate the patient in a manner more in keeping with current sanitary standards. Many of the attempts to provide improved structures, however, involved the use of highly sophisticated equipment which, necessarily, is expensive to initially manufacture and to maintain in use. When patient care expenses are already high in any inlstitution the signicant additional expense for these purposes generally may not be undertaken when the substitute (the portable bed pan) may be used.

The present invention is directed to the provision of an improved mattress support structure for non-ambulatory individuals to accommodate them in their toilet in bed. This structure is relatively inexpensive and may readily be included with new or existing bed structures. This structure is durable in use and, if necessary, may be used by the individual without initial assistance from an attendant.

It, accordingly, is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved mattress support structure to accommodate non-ambulatory patients in their toilet.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved mattress support structure with a two-part mattress sectioned at approximately mid-length position.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved structure having a mattress sectioned at approximately the center position and with means to deflect the center sectioned portion to define an opening in the mattress above a bed pan.

An additional object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved structure for non-ambulatory individuals having a mattress with a deflectable openable portion and with powered means for defining the mattress opening.

3,332,090 Patented July 25, 1967 Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved mattress support structure wherein an opening may be dened in the mattress and with a bed pan disposed beneath said definable mattress opening and conditioned for use upon opening of the mattress.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved structure particularly for use by non-ambulatory persons, said improved structure being relatively inexpensive which is easy to use, economical and easy to maintain and which isv readily serviced in use.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and advantages there'- of, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of `a mattress support structure and mattress elements incorporating the teachings of the present invention, illustrating straps extending over the mattress and the motor drive means for operation of the structure;

FIGURE lA is a fragmentary illustration of a modified mattress for the structure of FIGURE l showing a center mattress opening extending partially across the mattress;

FIGURE 1B is a fragmentary illustration of another modified mattress structure having a center slot extending longitudinally of the mattress with straps extending laterally to provide means for opening the slot over the bed pan assembly;

FIGURE 2 is an illustrative view, partly in section of the device of FIGURE 1 illustrating the strap mounting and bed pan structure;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view showing in detail the strap mounting and operational assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the center mattress support structure illustrating the strap position control apparatus and drive means therefor;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side view of the center mattress support structure illustrating the strap position control means and bed pan assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mattress and strap assembly of the present invention illustrating center deflection of the mattress section or elements as the straps are moved to define a center bed opening over the bed pan assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary top view of the center area with the mattress elements deflected by the straps defining a mattress opening over the bed pan assembly;

FIGURE 8 is `an illustrative fragmentary enlarged side view of the central area of the mattress support structure showing the center mattress opening and schematically showing operation of the bed pan assembly; and

FIGURE 9 is la perspective view of the rigid pan element of the ibed pan assembly.

Referring more particularly now to FIGURE l of the drawings the assembly is shown generally at 20. It should be noted that the mattress assembly will be used with a bed structure. While any suitable bed structure may be used, for illustration of the present invention the head of the bed may be defined at the end 22 and the foot of the Ibed is defined at the end 24 as in FIGURE 3. A mattress support 26 is provided for support and articulation of the mattress segments. The support 26 is of the type that may =be articulated to permit mattress position changes for an individuals comfort and convenience although this feature is not essential for the present invention.

A mattress, indicated generally at 28, is supported on the mattress support structure 26. The mattress structure may be of the type shown in the fragmentary view of FIGURE 1A at 28', wherein the mattress is defined as an integral unit 28' with a central opening 29 extending laterally of the mattress and terminating inwardly of the sides of the mattress 28. Another modified mattress structure is shown in FIGURE 1B at 28" wherein the mattress again is defined as an integral unit 28" with a central opening 29" extending longitudinally of the mattress in the central area thereof.

A m-otor 34 is indicated in FIGURE 1 and is affixed to the mattress support member 26. The motor 34 defines means for separating the mattress elements 30 and 32 or for enlarging the mattress openings 29 or 29 over the bed pan of the assembly.

The mattress elements or openings (as noted above) are moved to define an opening over the bed pan of the assembly by a pair of straps 36a, 36h, 36C, and 36d extending along each side of the mattress elements or openings. Each of the straps is affixed at one end to the mattress support 26', shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3. Thus, the fixed strap ends are rigid with respect to the mattress support element 26 which will permit articulation of the mattress segments. The straps of the modifications are identified with the same reference numerals as noted above with a single or double prime added as in the previous numbering practice.

The strap 36b, as shown in FIGURE 2, is secured at 37 to the mattress support 26 at bed end 22. Strap 36b extends from 37 along the mattress 30 to the end thereof at mid-bed length 31. The strap 36h extends down the mattress at 31 to the bottom thereof and then back along the bottom of the mattress 30 toward the bed end 22. Strap 36b extends over guide or roller 38 then about guide or roller 40. The other end of strap 36b is secured to block 42. Strap 36a extends along the mattress 30 in spaced parallel relation to strap 3611 from affixed end 37' at end 22 over guide members 38 and 40 to block 42.

The mounting and disposition of the strap 36b is shown more clearly in the perspective view of FIGURE 3. In FIGURE 3 the strap 36d is shown extending from the afixed end 37 (where it is afiixed to the mattress support 26 at foot end 24 of the fbed) along the mattress section 32 to the mid-bed length 31 and then in reverse direction along the rbottom of the mattress section 32 over the roller and guide or support element 45. The strap 36d then is given a half twist and is passed under the guide element 47 of the assembly and then secured to the transport block Sil. The other strap, that is, strap 36a and 36e, are affixed and disposed in much the same manner as the straps 3617 and 36d, respectively, except that the strap support and transport assembly beneath the mattress sections 36 and 32 are disposed to move -the ends of the strap 36a and 36C, respectively, toward the opposite sides of said mattress sections from the straps 36b and 36d.

The strap transport assembly may be seen more clearly in reference to the enlarged fragmentary view of FIG- URE 4 of the drawings. In this view the motor 34 is shown affixed to the mattress support element 26. The drive shaft 54 of the motor 34 is drivingly connected to the shaft 56 of the assembly. The shaft 56 is rotatably supported on support member 26' of the bed by the 1bearing support elements 57 and 58 at either end of said shaft. A pair of bevel pinion gears 60 and 62 are non-rotatably secured to the shaft 56 at spaced intervals therealong. In the specific embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 the gears 60 and 62 are mounted on the shaft 56 in back-to-back relation. Pinion gear 60 is in meshing engagement with a transport shaft drive gear 64. The gear 64 is non-rotatably secured to the transport shaft 65 having oppositely disposed worm threads thereon and either end thereof to drivingly engage the transport'blocks 42 and 42', respectively.

The pinion gear 62 meshingly engages the transport shaft drive gear 66 which gear, in turn, is non-rotatably secured to one end of the transport shaft 68. The transport shaft 68, like the transport shaft 65, is rotatably supported at either end thereof by the bed frame support element 26. As shown in FIGURE 4 the transport shaft 68 is provided with a pair of worm thread segments 69 and 70, respectively. The worm thread segments 69 and 60 are pitched in opposite directions along the axial shaft length. The tape transport block 5f) threadedly engages the worm thread segment 69 of the transport shaft 68 while the tape transport block 50 threadably engages the worm thread gear segment 70 of said shaft 68. Thus, rotation of the shaft 68 in any given direction will cause the tape transport blocks 50 and 50 to move either toward or away from each other. As noted hereinabove, one end of the tape 36b is secured to the transport block 50 and one end of the tape 36C is secured to the transport block 50. Thus, when the shaft 68 is rotated to cause the tape transport blocks 50 and 50 to move away from each other said tape transport yblocks will carry the tape ends 36d and 36C, respectively, along with them in their movement over the mating worm gear segments of the shaft 68. It shouldfbe observed with the tape transport assembly illustrated in FIGURE 4 the shafts 68 and 65 will be rotated in opposite directions. Accordingly, the worm gear segments of these shafts must be reversed so that the tape transport blocks 42-50 and 42-50 will be moved in pairs in the same direction either to place tension on the straps or to permit the straps to relax.

It can readily be seen that as the shaft 68 is rotated to, for example, move the tape transport blocks 50 and 50 away from each other the effective length of the straps 36d and 36C, respectively, will be shortened. As the block 50 is moved outwardly toward the side of the bed (down in FIGURE 4) the end of tape support 36d will be moved outwardly along with it. Inner segments of the tape 36d will continually move over roller 45 through the half twist and under roller `47 to permit movement of the tape end along with the block 5t). The roller 45 is substantially vertically aligned with the general longitudinal axis of the tape as it extends over the top surface of the mattress segment 32 to keep the tape 36d in preferred orientation with respect to the mattress segment. As the block 50 continues to move outwardly toward the side of the bed the effective tape length is shortened. Since the overall tape length 36d does not change during this time the compensating variable to accommodate the effective vertical `shortening, of the tape must come from -a proportionate deflection of the mattress 32 from its relaxed position adjacent the mid bed length area 31 toward a point nearer the bed end 24. It can also be seen that as the block 50 is moved outwardly toward the side it will carry the aflixed end of the tape 36C along with it. Thus, the effective length of the tape 36C with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mattress support structure will be shortened and the tape will move over the roller 45 through the half twist, under the roller 47' and along with the moving tape transport 50. Again, the compensating variable for defective shortening of the lengths of the tape 36 with respect to the longitudinal mattress support axis comes from compression of the mattress segment 32 away from the mid-bed length position 31. The schematic illustration of the mattress compression with the structure of FIGURE 4 is shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings wherein the mattress end at the mid-bed length position 31 is withdrawn in a substantially semi-circular manner by the pairs of straps 36u-36h and 36e-36d to define an opening through the mattress at the mid-bed length position.

It can readily be seen that the modified structure of FIGURE 1A having a lateral opening 29 extending across the mattress at substantially mid-bed length position and with the ends thereof terminating inboard the mattress sides, is much the same functionally as the structure of FIGURE 1. Thus, when the pairs of straps 36a'36b' and 36c'-36d are moved in the same manner as described hereinabove in connection With the discussion of apparatus of FIGURE 4, a semi-circular opening would be defined -at 29 due to compression of the mattress by the straps. There is, of course, an economic advantage in providing two separate shorter mattress ele- 'ments as `at 30 and 32 rather than providing -an opening 29 as in FIGURE 1A. p

A similar structure could be used with the modified mattress of FIGURE 1B except that the half-twist of the tape between guide rollers 45V and 47 would not be required and the guide roller 45 would -be rotated 90 degrees and move on an Aaxis parallel to the axis of roller 47. With this structure movement of the tape transport blocks of the structure toward the sides of the mattress support structure would shorten the effective lengths of the pairs of tapes 36a-36b" and 36c-36d" to compress the mattress at the sides of the opening 29" in mattress 28 again to define a substantially circular opening at the mid-bed length position.

An arm 72 is rigidly secured to each of the tape transport blocks of the structure described above in connection with discussion of the apparatus of FIGURE 4, and extend upwardly and under the bottom surface of the mattress elements 30 and 32 to define additional support for said mattress elements at the mid-bed length position 31. The arms 72 further define means for holding the spring biased cover of the bed pan (to be described hereinbelow) away from the bottom surface of the mattress elements 30 and 32. It can readily be seen that if the spring-biased covers of the bed pan were permitted to rub against the bottom surface of the mattress elements some damage could result to the mattress.

The guide and transport structure for the tapes 36a and 36b is identical to that described in detail bereinabove for use with tapes 36C and 36d. For example, the -tape 36a extends from the point 37 at which it is afiixed to the mattress support 26 bed end 22, along the top surface of the mattress segment 30, down the end of the mattress 30 at the mid-bed length position 31, then in reverse direction along the bottom surface of the mattress segment 30 over the roller 38', through the half-twist, under the guide roller y40 after which it is secured to the tape transport block 42. The tape 36b, of course, extends in the same manner along the mattress and then over and under the rollers 38 vand 40, respectively, after which the end tape 36h is secured to the tape transport block 42.

As shown in FIGURES 2, 7 and 8 of the drawings the bed pan B is supported on the bed at the mid-bed length position 31 and is laterally disposed under the mattress segments 30 and 32 so that it will be beneath the opening defined in the mattress segments when the effective length of the straps has been shortened to compress the mattress. In this manner the bed-ridden patient may conveniently use the bed pan without a nurse or attendant having to be called to pla-ce it under him. It should be noted that the patient may energize the motor 34 himself to quickly make the bed pan available to him and then after use may call the nurse or attendant to restore the bed and bed pan to a condition ready for subsequent use. There is, of course, a considerable advantage also in the fact that the patient need not be lifted for placing of the bed pan beneath him.

The bed pan assembly employed with the structure :disclosed herein is comprised of several elements. A first rigid support element S is provided for overall support of the pan and preferably is made of a rigid, durable material. The support element S of the pan structure may include flanges 76 along either side thereof. The flanges 76 are adapted to ride on rails R. The rails R are in parallel, spaced apart relation and extend laterally of the bed along either side of the mid length position 31. The

said rails R may be secured at either end to the mattress support structure 26. It can be readily seen that with this assembly the bed pan B may easily slidably be inserted and removed from its use position beneath the mattress. The bed support structure, of course, must be open at one side to permit insertion and removal of the bed pan B.

A plastic liner, which may be a polyethylene material for easy cleaning, is adapted to be received in the support element S of the assembly. The liner L is provided with spring biased top cover elements C and C'. In this manner the covers C and C' are biased toward the open position indicated by the dashed lines of FIGURE 8 and must positively be held in the closest position where they extend over the top of the bed pan B. One end of each of the spring elements is secured to the cover element C and C', respectively. The other end of each of said spring elements 80 is secured to the adjoining Wall of the liner L. The springs, of course, are constructed such that in the relaxed condition they will have moved the cover elements C and C' to their full open positions as shown by the dashed lines of FIGURE 8.

A treated paper or soft, flexible plastic liner P may yalso be inserted within the liner L. This would make the task of cleaning the bed pan B after use much simpler in that the treated paper or flexible plastic liner would be of a disposable nature.

While -a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown and described it will, of course, be understood that other modifications and alternative constructions may be used without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, It is intended by the :appended claims to cover all such modifications and alternative constructions as fall within their true spirit and scope.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A mattress support structure comprising, in cornbination:

a mattress support frame;

a mattress supported on said frame and being defined by two mattress segments each extending from one frame end to approximately mid-length of the support frame;

a pair of straps associated with each mattress segment and extending longitudinally of each segment in spaced apart relation therealong from the ends, respectively, of the mattress and frame assembly to the mid-length position thereof, each of said straps being anchored one end, respectively, at the frame ends and extending along the top of the mattress segment to the mid-length position;

movable anchor means for the other ends of the straps, respectively, said means including fixed position guide means to orient and maintain said straps in a predetermined position on the top of the mattress segments, said straps extending from said one end thereof, along the mattress tops, between the mattress segments, over the guides and onto the anchors; and

means to move the anchored other ends of said straps from a first position wherein the mattress elements are in a relaxed condition to a second position where the straps force the sectioned mid-length portion of the mattress away from each other in the area about the straps to define an opening in the mattress.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the means to anchor the other ends of each of said straps includes guide means to orient and maintain the other strap ends in a predetermined position on the tops of the mattress segments and wherein the means to move said anchored other ends of said straps includes means which move laterally with respect to the mattress support frame.

3. The structure of claim 1 having a bed pan assembly mounted below the mattress in the area defined by the mattress opening when in use.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the bed pan assembly includes a lirst rigid support element and a second removable element which may readily be cleaned.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein the second element of the bed pan assembly includes biased cover elements which when unrestricted move to open position to permit use of the bed pan.

`6. The structure of claim 3 wherein the bed pan is readily slidably inserted and removed from its use position below the mattress.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein the mattress is provided with a central opening in the mid-length area 8 of the bed which opening terminates inboard the walls of the mattress.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,25 7,072 2/ 1918 Fazakerley 5-90 2,711,207 6/1955 Roth 4-134 2,902,701 9/ 1959 Driskill 5-90 X 3,115,644 12/1963 BlOOdwOrth 4-112 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner, 

1. A MATTRESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A MATTRESS SUPPORT FRAME; A MATTRESS SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME AND BEING DEFINED BY TWO MATTRESS SEGMENTS EACH EXTENDING FROM ONE FRAME END TO APPROXIMATELY MID-LENGTH OF THE SUPPORT FRAME; A PAIR OF STRAPS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH MATTRESS SEGMENT AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF EACH SEGMENT IN SPACED APART RELATION THEREALONG FROM THE ENDS, RESPECTIVELY, OF THE MATTRESS AND FRAME ASSEMBLY TO THE MID-LENGTH POSITION THEREOF, EACH OF SAID STRAPS BEING ANCHORED ONE END, RESPECTIVELY, AT THE FRAME ENDS AND EXTENDING ALONG THE TOP OF THE MATTRESS SEGMENT TO THE MID-LENGTH POSITION; MOVABLE ANCHOR MEANS FOR THE OTHER ENDS OF THE STRAPS, RESPECTIVELY, SAID MEANS INCLUDING FIXED POSITION GUIDE MEANS TO ORIENT AND MAINTAIN SAID STRAPS IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION ON THE TOP OF THE MATTRESS SEGMENTS, SAID STRAPS EXTENDING FROM SAID ONE END THEREOF, ALONG THE MATTRESS TOPS, BETWEEN THE MATTRESS SEGMENTS, OVER THE GUIDES AND ONTO THE ANCHORS; AND MEANS TO MOVE THE ANCHORED OTHER ENDS OF SAID STRAPS FROM A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN THE MATTRESS ELEMENTS ARE IN A RELAXED CONDITION TO A SECOND POSITION WHERE THE STRAPS FORCE THE SECTIONED MID-LENGTH PORTION OF THE MATTRESS AWAY FROM EACH OTHER IN THE ARER ABOUT THE STRAPS OF DEFINE AN OPENING IN THE MATTRESS. 